Catholic Center vandalized in midst of statewide abortion debate
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Brookings, S.D., Sep 7, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Vandals spray painted a symbol on a pro-life sign in front of the Pius XII Newman Center at South Dakota State University in Brookings and painted “NO IRAQ WAR” on the front of the church, reported the Dakota Voice.

The vandalized sign is part of a display which travels to different locations around South Dakota each week. It notes that 828 abortions were performed in South Dakota in 2002 and indicates that 44 million abortions were executed in the U.S. since Roe vs. Wade in 1973. The display has been at the Newman Center since last Saturday, and is to remain until this Saturday.

The pastor, Fr. Rutten, said he is checking into what it will take to replace the sign. Local police are currently investigating but no suspects have been found.

Rutten also said he didn't understand why a statement on the Iraq war was sprayed on the Newman Center, considering that the Catholic Church typically speaks against war, and made a particular stand against the war in Iraq.

South Dakota is in the midst of a major statewide debate as voters face a Nov. 7 referendum on legislation that would ban most abortions.

A recent Mason-Dixon poll found 47 percent of voters oppose the ban, 39 percent favor it and 14 percent are undecided. However, when asked if they would support the ban if it had exceptions for rape and incest, the percentage of those backing it rose to 59 percent. (See related CNA story)

"The coming referendum presents an opportunity for South Dakota to model for the nation the manner in which substantial public debate regarding this volatile moral issue can be carried on with respect, honesty and conviction," writes Bishop Blase Cupich of Rapid City in the Sept. 11 issue of America Magazine.

In one of his regular columns in the West River Catholic, the bishop said the framing of the issue as “reproductive rights” distracts from the fact that abortion is really a human rights issue “about protecting human life from conception which is supported by people of all faiths and none.”

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Charles Wadlow
Kirkland, WA 09/08/2006 11:19 AM EST
George is mostly right.

These Vandals are Liberals plain and simple. They think and act emotionally and not on the facts. They don't connect the dots that if you are pro-life it means you are pro-life all the way.

It is interesting how these Liberals are so passionate about Iraq and the thousands killed there, while they don't care about the 44 MILLION Americans who have been killed by abortion.

They also don't connect the dots in the statistical fact that if these 44 Million babies were allowed to live we wouldn't be worried about funding Social Security. If you are not Christian, then you can convey the same message on a secular fiscal scenario; Killing babies equals no social security for you in the future. This may change their tune.

Also, I supported the President on the war in Afganistan and Iraq. St. Augustine spoke at length about just war doctrine and in the end God will be the judge on whether that applied or not. The Pope and the Bishops said attacking either country was bad. They were not speaking from the seat of Peter, so therefore it was their opinion and not an infallible statement.

Our country has not been attacked since 9/11. Pres Bush has been on the offense, so we Americans are safe. Today's Democrats are always weak on defense and more Americans will die with weak politically correct Liberals running this country.

May God lead us all to Him to seek the Truth for our lives, so that we can all be better witnesses.
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Published by: George Angel
Canada 09/07/2006 10:38 PM EST
Obviously those that vandalized this pro-life sign at South Dakota State University are in a very weird way equating President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq with the pro-life movement at this university. They are basically suggesting that those that are pro-life are pro Iraqi war as well even though the Catholic Churches position coming from the Vatican has been consistantly against the Iraqi war right from the beginning and is always asking the countries and parties involved to seek a peaceful solution to this conflict and war. This vandalism was simply a diversionary tactic to draw people's attention away from the real focus and message of this pro-life display at the Newman Center. To all the organizers of this pro-life display stay the course and stick to your pro-life message regardless of any distractions!
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